Best Cleaners - Coats for Connecticut

BEST CLEANERS KICKS OFF COATS FOR CONNECTICUT
ON NOVEMBER 9TH

Middletown, CT -- The decision to develop Coats For Connecticut, an annual winter coat and clothing drive to benefit Connecticut residents, was a simple one for Shawn McCann and Best Cleaners. As president of the environmentally-friendly drycleaning chain, Mr. McCann has seen the effects of the down economy on many customers and realized that the need for warm clothing would be greater then ever this winter.

"The Coats For Connecticut idea came out of our very positive experiences collecting and cleaning clothing for other good causes in the past," commented McCann. "Our customers really step up and donate great quantity and quality of clothing. Then, we donate our professional cleaning services and deliver them directly to those in need. It's an easy and very gratifying way to make a big difference in someone's life." With that as the framework, McCann and the Best team reached out to local centers and shelters which are capable of getting the coats and clothing directly to the Connecticut needy as quickly as possible. The Salvation Army of Connecticut and The Connection, Inc., a non-profit organization with several programs in central Connecticut, responded enthusiastically and echoed the anticipated greater need for coats and clothing this winter.

Brenda Downing, Director of Social Services for The Salvation Army in Connecticut said, "We are thrilled to be working with Best Cleaners on the Coats for Connecticut program. As the economy has worsened, the need for our services has sharply increased. And now with the advent of cold weather the demand for warm coats is going through the roof. Because of the generosity of companies like Best Cleaners and their customers, we are better able to meet the needs of our clients. We could not fulfill our mission without your support and we are forever grateful to you at Best and to your customers." "We are thrilled that Best Cleaners thought of The Connection for their coat drive. The recipients of the coats at our programs will be delighted, as many of them don't have the resources to go out and get a coat with winter fast approaching. This is a great example of area businesses thinking about ways to help people in need in their community, and encouraging others to give as well," said Heide Erb Director of Communications for The Connection.

The campaign officially kicks off on Monday, November 9th at all Best Cleaners' locations. Best customers and non-customers alike are asked to drop off gently-used winter coats and clothing for all ages in the designated collection bins. Best will then clean and deliver the donated items on a bi-weekly basis to Salvation Army centers and The Connection's programs in the greater Hartford, Middletown, Bristol and New Haven areas. The last delivery is scheduled for mid-February. The real appeal of the campaign is the relative ease for all involved. People can donate freely without having to incur the expense or time to have items cleaned. Best uses its everyday service process to clean and deliver the clothing, greatly reducing the shelters' staff time for taking in and distributing the donations. Ultimately, more coats should get to more people, more quickly, and help keep Connecticut warmer this winter.
For more information on the Coats For Connecticut clothing drive and Best Cleaners locations, go to www.bestcleaners.com or call 1-888-950-BEST. For more information on the Salvation Army of Connecticut, go to www.salvationarmyct.org. For more information on The Connection and its shelter programs, go to www.theconnectioninc.org.

Bristol
100 North Street
860-583-3935

Canton
1 Lovely Street
860-693-0056

Farmington / Unionville
1684 Farmington Avenue
860-673-0139

Glastonbury
2759 Main Street
860-633-0591

Middletown
1088 Newfield Street
860-632-2217

Plainville
69 East Street
860-747-6221

Rocky Hill
2349 Main Street
860-721-0500

Windsor
292 Poqounock Avenue
860-688-3300